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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 18, 2005 Julie Wiley, left, and Chad Dickson, both of Medford, hold signs expressing their views during a candlelight vigil in Medford's Vogel Plaza Wednesday night. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Sheehan supporters fill plaza Demonstrators say they’re upset with President Bush for refusing to speak with California woman whose son died in Iraq By CHRIS CONRAD Mail Tribune More than 100 people lined the street at Vogel Plaza in support of Cindy Sheehan, whose 10-day protest outside President Bush’s vacation home is becoming a focal point for the anti-war movement. Candlelight vigils were scheduled in 1,000 cities across the country. The vigils were in support of Sheehan’s request that President Bush speak to her about withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq. Sheehan’s oldest son, Army Spc. Casey Sheehan, was killed in action there in 2004. Phyllis Hense, of Medford, organized the Vogel Plaza vigil. She is an unlikely source of anti-war sentiment, having grown up in a strong military family. Both her parents served during World War II. Her husband is a Vietnam veteran and her daughter was recently discharged from military service after a devastating leg injury during basic training. "(My family) is not real happy with me, but they expect it of me," Hense said. "I’ve always been outspoken." On Wednesday night, though, Hense let the candles and the signs held by protesters along Central Street do most of the talking. Advertisement Hense expected only "15 to 20" people to show up for the vigil. She was surprised at the turnout. She said Sheehan’s story has had a large impact on her life. "When I saw Cindy, I saw a mother who was hurt and unable to know why," Hense said. Hense said the problem lies in the White House’s shifting reasons for going to war. "They’re leaving everything to question and doubt," she said. "If they want us to understand why we are in Iraq, then they need to help us to understand why it is important that we be there." David Larson, of Central Point, is a veteran of the Korean War who has been part of numerous Medford anti-war protests. He said anti-war sentiment among veterans and their families was thriving throughout the country long before Sheehan came to national attention. "The media’s finally catching up," he said. "I support the military 100 percent. But I support its proper use." Many in the crowd said the response from passersby was largely positive. People honked their horns and made the peace sign as they drove by. Michele Lansing, 18, drove up from San Francisco to attend the vigil. "I have a couple weeks before I go back to school," she said. "I could either spend it on a beach in California, or I could do something meaningful with my time." Lansing said that there were some people driving by who yelled obscenities and made obscene gestures at them, but not as many as she expected. Hense said that President Bush’s refusal to meet with Sheehan is creating anti-war sentiment among people like herself, who support the military and a democratic Iraq, but who feel lied to by the White House about the reasons for the war. "The fact that he shuns Cindy Sheehan has turned him into an enemy to a lot of women," Hense said. Reach reporting intern Chris Conrad at 776-4471, or e-mail Sheehan supporters fill plaza ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztechmedia Website Hosting Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Advertisement s